Thurso to Durness

 Thurso to Durness - 6th July.

After a few days around Thurso we drove along the north coast of Scotland to Durness. Jim still encouraging Maree and Matt to find "points of interest."

The Dounreay Nuclear Power Station was one "point of interest," we couldn't drive past as it had a purpose build viewing platform with signs informing you that armed guards may question you at any time. The Wiki info on the plant is worth reading if you ever thought nuclear power was a good idea: the mishaps, the contamination of the sea and surrounding area, and the process of decommissioning. Info here.

On to the Strathy Point Lighthouse another great coastal spot with a 15 minute walk to the lighthouse. Most of the lighthouse accommodation that was used by the keepers back in the day is now privately owned and the lights themselves automated. Beautiful coastline, there are dolphins in the area but we didn't see any when we visited and the water was once again very clear.

Further along the coast we stopped in at the Strathnaver Museum. Humans had lived on this site nearby for many thousands of years, the info says for 8000 years so there must have been some carbon dating at some stage. The site also talks about the Highland Clearances and many people were evicted from the homes in the 1800s by the rich and powerful. You can tell people are still not happy about what happened. There were also many stone carvings, headstones and gravestones dating back many hundreds of years. Jim wandered around the museum and Matt and Maree hung out in the cafe/info centre that was close by. 

Further along we stopped at the Moine House ruin where there were some short walks to some smaller lakes or lochs. The house was a refuge for travellers back in the day making  journeys across the highlands. Once again we had four seasons in one day but the sun came out long enough to get some  photos.

Loch Eriboll was another nice spot with a lookout above an old lime works. It was a WW2 naval port back in the day and the crews used to write the names of their vessels on the hillside opposite with white rocks. We looked but couldn't see any sign but there were some photos on the signboard at the carpark.

On to the Durness Smoo Youth Hostel where we were staying for the night. Next to the hostel was the Smoo Cave where the Vikings used to stop and fix their vessels. The area had some other limestone caves that lead to caves where one local villain back in the day threw many of his victims. He told everybody that the devil lived in the caves so no one would enter and find the bodies. Bit of a gruesome tale. Needless to say we didn't see any bodies or vikings on our visit. Had a nice dinner at the local pub then back to the hostel for the night. 

 Thurso beach - bit colder than it looks.

The route for the day along the north coast of Scotland.

The Holborn Head lighthouse looking from Thurso beach.

Dounreay Nuclear Power Station Restoration Site.

Strathy Point Lighthouse

The coastline out from the lighthouse, once again the water was very clear.

This Oystercatcher was making some noise on the rocks. Just like the ones at home.

Matt on a mission looking for dolphins in the area - but none spotted.

Peat getting cut and dried for fuel stacked along the roadside.

Strathnaver Museum

Pictish Farr Stone dated from around 800 to 850AD.

Another stone laid directly on the grave dating back to 1739 at the graveyard at the museum.

Some pictures below from the Moine House above short walk.

Lochan nam meur Liath at Moine House short walk.

Ard Neakie Lime Kilns in Loch Eriboll which was also a WW2 naval port.

Fishing boat Loch Eriboll.

The Smoo Cave used by Vikings back in the day.

The Viking would beach their boats for repair in front of the caves.

The small port the Vikings used.

This wee bird was fishing in the water when we walked by.

Durness Smoo Youth Hostel.